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Strawberry Spinach

Heritage Crops

Strawberry Spinach

Blitum virgatum

A genuine curiosity: edible spinach-like leaves followed by vivid red berry-like seed clusters.

AnnualEdible leavesCurious red fruits
Awaiting restock

Plants are grown on a small scale. The exact supplied size and format can vary with the season; when this item is available, the current sale details are shown here.

This plant is currently awaiting restock.
LifecycleAnnual (readily self-seeding once established)
PositionFull sun to partial shade
SoilFertile, well-drained soil in sun or light shade.
Garden sizeUpright growth reaching 40–80 cm tall, with a light, branching habit
ContainerSuitable for containers (minimum 25–30 cm diameter); also thrives in beds and borders
Historic erasTudor

Why it belongs in a forgotten garden

Strawberry Spinach — the story

Why grow it?

A conversation-piece annual: edible spinach-like leaves followed by bright red, strawberry-shaped fruit clusters along the stems.

History & context

Strawberry Spinach is a curious and quietly charming plant, grown as much for interest as for use. Known in European gardens by the early modern period, it combines edible leaves with striking, berry-like seed clusters that blur the line between vegetable and ornament. Hardy and self-sufficient, it rewards curiosity rather than perfection.

Explore its place in Tudor garden history.

Growing guide

How to grow Strawberry Spinach

Soil & position

Fertile, well-drained soil in sun or light shade.

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Water

Water for steady growth; established plants tolerate ordinary dry spells but leaf production slows in drought.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring. Seedlings are small at first and may self-seed where plants are allowed to mature.

Sowing referenceSow Feb–Apr; direct Apr–JunDepth: 5 mm • Cold treatment: No

Ongoing care

Harvest leaves lightly while plants establish. Allow flowering stems to develop if you want the decorative red fruits.

From garden to kitchen

Harvesting & eating it

When to harvest

Young leaves from late spring; red fruit clusters develop later in summer.

Pick young leaves before the plant becomes coarse. The red berry-like clusters can be sampled when fully coloured; save mature seed if you want another crop.

What is edible?

Young leaves and ripe red fruit clusters.

Flavour & cooking

Young leaves can be used much like spinach, either raw or lightly cooked, with a mild, earthy flavour. The bright red seed clusters are edible but subtly flavoured, best enjoyed fresh or used as a decorative addition to salads and summer dishes rather than a true fruit.

Food value

Leaves are used like other chenopod greens and contain oxalates. The red fruits are edible but are generally milder and less sweet than their strawberry-like appearance suggests.

Traditional medicinal uses, where mentioned in the historical material, are included as history rather than medical advice.

Kitchen idea

Strawberry Spinach leaf & feta salad

The fruit is more decorative than sugary, so combine it with stronger flavours.

You’ll need

  • 100 g young Strawberry Spinach leaves
  • A small handful ripe red seed clusters, if available
  • 100 g feta
  • ½ cucumber, sliced
  • 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
  • 1½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Wash the leaves and seed clusters carefully.
  2. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice and black pepper.
  3. Toss the leaves and cucumber with the dressing.
  4. Crumble over feta and scatter with pumpkin seeds.
  5. Add a few red clusters last for colour and interest rather than expecting berry-like sweetness.

How tough is it?

Resilience, pests & garden value

Resilience

Easy-going and adaptable, Strawberry Spinach tolerates cool conditions and modest soils with ease. Once allowed to seed, it often returns year after year with little encouragement, making it a dependable and quietly productive garden companion.

Pests & practical problems

Usually easy. Slugs may damage young plants; self-seeding can become enthusiastic in loose soil.

Wildlife value

Seeds and mature plants add diversity, though the flowers themselves are not showy.

Growing in a container

Suitable for containers (minimum 25–30 cm diameter); also thrives in beds and borders

Container plants generally need more frequent watering and feeding than the same plant in open ground.

Ready to grow it?

Strawberry Spinach

Plants are grown on a small scale. The exact supplied size and format can vary with the season; when this item is available, the current sale details are shown here.

Awaiting restock

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